General News of Friday, 2 June 2017

Source: starrfmonline.com

Woman drowns in Densu River

At least one person drowns every year in the community At least one person drowns every year in the community

A woman identified as Yaa Esther has reportedly drowned in the Densu River at New Asuoyaa in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The woman believed to be in her 40s, allegedly drowned while crossing the river.

Eyewitnesses say, the incident occurred Thursday evening around 6:30 pm but an extensive search to retrieve the remains has proved futile.

Until a year ago, residents in the community including school children had to ‘swim ‘ in the Densu River to farms and School. A locally made boat by Multimedia was later presented to ferry the residents after a media campaign.

The boat, however, does not function well whenever the water level is low, therefore residents have to walk through the river to the next bank of the river while carrying their goods to continue to their journey.

The Assemblyman for the Asuoyaa electoral area, Hon. Patrick Amoako Ankrah in an interview with Starr News said the water level rises unexpectedly whenever Ghana Water Company opens its dam posing danger to many who cross the river.

He pointed out that the lack of communication between the Ghana Water Company Limited and the communities living along the Densu river does not help the communities prepare ahead hence residents get to the river only to see the sudden rise of the river.

At least one person drowns every year in the community due to this phenomenon, according to the assembly member.

He said efforts made to get the GWCL to address the situation has fallen on deaf ears.

The assemblyman is calling on the appropriate bodies to help retrieve the body of the drowned woman.